Consulting-Specifying Engineer - September 2008 - (Page 46)

Table 1 Advantages and disadvantages of commissioning contractual arrangements Contractual arrangement Advantages Disadvantages Additional contract administration for owner Restricted selection process for public entities Indirect knowledge of design and installation Requires more leadership and team building skills Independent Cx service Direct communication with owner provider contracted direct- Dedicated CxA staff has best interdisciplinary ly to owner mix Unbiased third-party judgment Direct payment from owner Maintains test equipment inventory CxA on staff of, or sub- Best knowledge of owner’s intent Possible conflict when CxA is checking plans of same comcontracted to, architect or pany engineer Familiar with equipment applications on the Lack of operations experience job Interactive “systems” logic and perspective Good test scenario and report writing skills Cx schedule meshes with design schedule CxA is member of owner’s in-house staff No conflict of interest with owner goals Owner needs many projects to support full CxA staff Lack of construction experience Payment problems/delays Knowledge gained during Cx is valuable for Additional personnel for owner O&M Direct responsibility to owner Direct communication with owner Possible lower cost than consultants Scheduling and supervisory work for owner Owner must maintain equipment inventory CxA on staff of, or subcontracted to, general contractor All responsibility is with GC Big picture viewpoint over all construction Close to schedule requirements No additional contract for owner Possible lack of early involvement Conflict with quality in event of schedule/cost problems Payment problems/delays CxA on staff of, or subcontracted to, MEP subcontractor Best understanding of mechanical systems installation and operation Peer relationship with installing contractor Lack of early involvement Biased approach to installation Faster and lower cost by combining Cx with Lack of “disinterested” position requires maximum contractor’s check-out owner oversight No additional contract for owner May lack communications skills Payment problems/delays CxA on staff of, or con- If employee, on-site and available tracted to, on-site con- Unbiased judgment struction manager Direct responsibility to, and communication with, owner No additional contract for owner CxA on staff of, or contracted to, owner’s representative Unbiased third-party judgment Direct responsibility to owner Direct communication with owner No additional contract for owner Indirect involvement with design Indirect knowledge of construction Lack of “systems” training and skills Not a professional engineer Unfamiliar with test equipment CM usually chosen in mid/late design Possible conflict if CM has financial interest in the project May lack “systems” training and skills 46 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • SEPTEMBER 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer - September 2008

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - September 2008 Contents Viewpoint Letters News M/E�Roundtable Selecting Appropriate Egress Strategies Commissioning On-Site Electrical Systems Mentoring Control Engineers and Technicians Casting Call for Cx Case Study New Products Equipment Lifecycles Advertiser Index Green Space

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - September 2008

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